The latest American vehicle for Asian comic actor/martial arts master
Jackie Chan veers away from the buddy-picture formula that served him
so well in "Rush Hour" (with Chris Tucker) and "Shanghai Noon" (with
Owen Wilson). But "The Tuxedo," a fast-paced action comedy, is
disappointing, even if it's fun to watch the limber Chan do some of
the jaw-dropping acrobatics that made his rep in Hong Kong. His lack
of mastery over English is a problem in the U.S. when the onus of
stardom is on him alone, and the plot holes don't help. As lovable
loser Jimmy Tong, Chan is so timid that he's afraid to speak to a
woman he admires. Hired as chauffeur to a secret agent (Jason
Isaacs), Jimmy dons the spy's miraculous, high-tech tuxedo  a
garment that lets its wearer walk up walls, dance like James Brown
and even fight like ... Jackie Chan. Suddenly, Jimmy can take on an
evil businessman with a plan to rule the world. Breezy, lanky
Jennifer Love Hewitt plays what passes for a leading lady in one of
Chan's lively, unsexy amusements.